Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-18
The Bank Watchman's Story,
New York Sun.


New York Sun.
Chow long have I been bank watch
man?" repeated Daniel McSnane, as he
took the pipe from his mouth and slowly
blew the smoke away. 'Well, sir, I've put
in over thirty years at It,"
s'But you are not more than 40 now"
"Forty-one, sir, and I began the bust
ness when [ was 10 years old"
"That was tender age, and there must
be story connected with your debut"
"Right you are, sir, and if you have
half an hour to spare we'll have a pot
of bear together and I'll tell you the
yarn. When I was kid of eight my
father was made night Waterman of the
old Traders Bank of Philadelphia.
Everything was very primitive then, as
you may remember. There were bad men
about, but there was no need of burglar
proof safes and time locks to circumvent
them Banks were then run about the
same as stores. The Traders opened up
at in the morning and closed at in
the afternoon, and the last official did
not leave until Z, at which time my
father went on duty. He was on from
that hour until in the morning, but
was not supposed to be awake all the
many a night he slept all night without
once opening his eyes, although he was
supposed to sleep so lightly that every
noise would arouse him. He was provid-
ed with club and a shotgun, and there
was no fear of his honesty or courage.
''Things went on very quietly for a
couple of years, and was then employed
as sort of messenger boy by a restaur
ant man who kept his place open all
night. If a drunken man came in, which
was nightly occurrence, or aloafer sought
to Jump his bill, which was often the case,
L made run of two blocks to the police
station for an officer. In this way, and
by acting as waiter at one of the tables,
[ earned a small weekly salary, and in the
bargain it was agreed that 1 should carry
my father lunch every night at mid
night. This consisted of a pail of hot
coffee, a sandwich and piece of pie. I
was always off at the stroke of u,
took walk of two squares, and father
was generally at the uoor waiting for me.
''You will readily see, sir, that the cir
cumstances furnished sharp man the
occasion to do big stroke of work, but
it was two years before they were taken
advantage of. Then a couple of crooks,
one of whom was from England, set up
the racket. For several nights [ was fol-
lowed from the restaurant to the bank
and back. It was known why | made the
trip, how father received me, and how
long | remained inside. My time in the
bank was about quarter of an hour,
and then father let me out, and sometimes
stood at the door and watched me down
to the corner. Well, as it turned out, the
crooks put it up to get into the bank as /
came out, or just after had gone. They
timed the officer on that beat, at 2:30 he
was invariably at the other end of his
beat, five squares away. The police bust
ness at that time was run on haphazard
way, and an officer could sit and sleep in
a doorway or patrol his beat, as he was
inclined. 1t was pretty good man on
that beat, but he was slow walker, and
fond of his pipe. As his smoking was at
the other end of his beat, he was certain
to take his time about coming back.
Did have my suspicious? did, sir.
Begging your pardon for what seems like
boasting, but / was accounted very
sharp boy at that age, and I think that
realized fathers responsibilities more
than he did himself. L was always Civ
ing him word of caution, but the very
first time I was followed l suspicioned
that some evil was intended, and warned
him not to open the door until knocked.
The next night the two men were close at
my heels, and | would not knock until
they had left me. Father agreed with
me that it was best to be cautious, and
next day the old gun was discharged and
loaded anew. I was followed on the third
fourth and fifth nights, and it was on this
latter night that the climax came. AS l
left the restaurant was joined by one of
the men, who claimed to be a vessel-Owner,
and who asked me how would like to 60
to sea. He gave me lot of taffy about
my being the smartest boy he ever saw,
and wishing to do something for me, and
as we arrived at the bank door he halted
with me, and said he would step in and
see father. At the Same time saw the
the policeman smoking his pipe in the
next door.
Nov, sir, hope you won't lay it up
against me for saying that l tumbled to
the racket at once, for that is the truth.
While l swallowed none of the taffy given
me, no sooner saw the policeman at
that point with his pipe alight than I
twigged him for pal in disguise. I had
been observing things for two years.
mind you, and such an innovation was
not to be passed over. explained to the
admit him, and that he must see father
next day, and after discussing the mat
ter for while he walked off. Then
gave four knocks on the door, and father
opened it. He was inclined to ridicule
my excitement, but finally came around